Curtain



y 3, 1938. E. c. CARTER 2,116,339

CURTAIN Filed May 11, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Egg? INVENTOR fill/0n" 6. theme.

GAITORNEW y 3, E. c. CARTER I 2,116,339

CURTAIN Filed May 11, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q! Li R Q Q Q o INVENTOR Wmfi Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in curtains, especially curtains made of lace and similar open mesh material.

The material from which lace curtains are 5' made is usually received by the curtain manufac-,

turer in lengths of considerable yardage so that it is necessary to cut the material into desired and predetermined curtain lengths. Ordinarily, in the cutting of the curtains special care is required in order that the line of cut will be at a right angle to the side edges of the material and in order that the curtain will be cut to the proper length. Also, in the type of curtain in which the 7 upper end thereof is folded downwardly and sewed to the main body of the curtain to form a pocket for a curtain support, great care is required in order that the pocket be formed at a right angle to the side edges of the curtain so that the curtain will hang properly relative to the window.

A common expedient in the cutting and folding operations is to lay a right angle or try square along a side edge of the curtain at the point of cutting off and to again use a square to mark the curtain at the proper line of folding. These necessarily slow moves of manually properly lining'up or squaring the curtain add appreciably to the manufacturing cost of the finished article.

Moreover, a slight misalignment of the trysquare during such operations may cause a. considerable error in the hang of the curtain. For example, if a curtain is a half-inch out of square (from a right angle) at the top, and it is four times longer than its width, the curtain will hang approximately two inches out of line at the bottom. Such an error mars the appearance of the curtain and renders it practically unsalable.

Another common expedient. to aid in the cutting of curtains on the square is to lay the curtains on a table having right angle lines marked out on the top face thereof. This expedient has proved to be somewhat simpler than the one hereinbefore mentioned, but it too required special handling and very often resulted in the misalignment noted in connection with the use of the try-square.

Furthermore, because of the tendency of open mesh fabrics topull out of shape in the bolt or when first laid upon a table, there is the ever present possibility that even. though the cut and fold are apparently made at a right angle to the side edge of the curtain, it will be later discovered, when the curtain is hung, that the cut and fold were not actually made on the square.

Heretofore, the best efforts toward obviating the deficiencies attendant upon the use of the twoabove mentioned expedients have taken the form of providing a series of woven eyelets extending at a right angle to the side edge of the curtain and adjacent the top thereof, so that a rod or other curtain support might be snaked therethrough. While curtains having this feature incorporated therein had the very desirable characteristic of hanging straight they also had the marked disadvantage of exposing the rod between the woven openings or eyelets. Many curtain users had a definite objection to this type of curtain because of the latter reason. In addition, in certain types of design, it is necessary,

in order to achieve the desired effect, that the curtain not be unduly puckered or rufiled at the top. In a curtain of the type having a plurality of eyelets through which is snaked a curtain rod or the like, it is somewhat difficult if not im- Also, with most curtains as heretofore manufactured, it was necessary to hem or infold the outer end thereof before sewing the same to prevent loose or frayed ends from appearing. This too slowed up production and added to manufacturing cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a curtain in which all of the above mentioned deficiencies are obviated.

It is a particular object of theinvention to provide a curtain with integral means adapted to eliminate the necessity for the use of try squares and marked tables during the cutting off operation to thereby make possible a more accurately cut curtain while at the same time speeding up the production thereof and reducing the manufacturing cost.

It is another important object of the invention to provide a curtain with integral means adapted to facilitate the accurate folding of the curtain at the time of initially forming the pocket for the curtain support, and to also facilitate the final forming of the pocket at the time of sewing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a curtain which may be cut to a definite and predetermined length with certainty and with facility,

It is a still further important object of the I tion of relatively loosely interlaced strands, of a plurality of transversely extending bars of strands which are more closely interlaced than the strands in the main body portion and which are spaced longitudinally of and formed integral with the curtain, the bars being adapted to be superposed one upon the other to define a pocket for a curtain support.

Still another feature of the invention consists in the provision in a curtain having portions adapted to be superposed by folding over a section transverse of the curtain at its upper end, in which a pair of transversely extending reinforcing bars are formed in each of the portions above mentioned and are spaced longitudinally of and formed integral with the curtain, the upper band in each of the. portions being spaced so that when one of the portions is folded downwardly and the corresponding bands in the two portions are stitched together to define a pocket for a curtain support, there is provided a heading which extends upwardly from the pocket to dress the curtain thereabove.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in the provision in a curtain of substantially loosely interlaced strands of a plurality of transversely extending bands of relatively closely interlaced strands which in effect form a selvage to lessen the possibility of frayed or rough ends marring the appearance of the curtain at the point of out off.

And yet another feature of the invention resides in the provision in a curtain of relatively loosely interlaced strands of four transversely extending bars of strands more closely interlaced than is the remainder of the curtain, which are spaced longitudinally of and formed integral with the curtain, the bars being positioned adjacent to the upper end of the curtain and the upper two bars being adapted to be'respectively superposed upon the lower two bars to define a pocket for a curtain support.

Other features residing in advantageous forms, combinations and relations of parts will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of the face of a curtain embodying the invention, the curtain being shown in unfolded position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a portion of the curtain folded to provide a pocket for a curtain support.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing a curtain support positioned in the pocket.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view of the face of a curtain of slightly different construction than the one shown in Fig. 1, and embodying the invention.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a portion of the curtain of modified construction folded downwardly to provide a pocket for a curtain support.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'l'! of Fig. 6 showing a curtain support positioned in the pocket.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a completely formed curtain embodying the invention, suspended from a curtain support.

Fig. 9 is a view of a modified form of the invention with. hem and pocket indicating and forming bars.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and first to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, there is shown a curtain I 5 of relatively loosely interlaced strands. Extending transversely of the curtain are a plurality of reinforcing bars [6, ll, [8, and 19 which are formed integral with the curtain and are spaced longitudinally thereof at predetermined intervals. As can be readily seen from the drawings the strands making up these transversely extending bars are more closely interlaced than are the strands in adjacent portions of the curtain.

In Fig. 1 the curtain is shown immediately following the cutting oif operation heretofore described. Because of the provision of the transverse bars which are formed in the material and at right angles to the side edges thereof, there is eliminated the necessity of resorting to special squaring instruments to mark the line of cut, it being necessary merely to out along the line defined by one of the bars. Furthermore, because the groups of the transverse bars may be formed at definite intervals in the material from which the curtain is cut to mark the desired length of the curtain, there is likewise eliminated the need for the special measurement of each curtain prior to the cutting off operation. In a curtain constructed in accordance with the present invention the cut may be accurately made by using as a guide the first of the transversely extending bars in any group.

The spacing of the bars is such that in the folding operation, when a section 20 transverse of the curtain at its upper end is folded over as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to superpose the portions 21 and 22, each of the pair of bars I8 and I! in the portion 2| will overlie a corresponding bar of the pair of bars l8 and l9 in the other portion 22 to define a pocket 23 for a curtain support 24.

It is seen, therefore, that the provision of the transverse bars makes possible the accurate folding of the curtain to form the pocket for the curtain support without the need of any special squaring or measuring instrument, or apparatus.

Following the folding operation, in order to maintain the superposed portions in operative relation and to make a strong pocket capable of maintaining the curtain in proper relation relative to the curtain support, corresponding bars in the superposed portions are secured together by lines of stitching 25. A pocket formed in this manner is particularly strong because the transversely extending bars form a base that will hold the stitching in place and provide a reinforcement for maintaining the curtain in proper relation with the curtain support.

Preferably, and as shown, the upper bars I! and I8 respectively in each of the superposed portions are spaced downwardly from the upper edge 26 of the folded section a sufiicient distance to provide a heading 2! which extends upwardly from the pocket to dress the curtain thereabove.

In the curtain shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the main body portion 28 of the curtain, which term embraces all of the curtain with the exception of the transversely extending bars, is shown as composed of mesh of two different degrees, that section of the main body portion intermediate the transversely extending bars being more closely interlaced than the section which extends downwardly therefrom. While this particular construction may be desirable in certain cases in order to make an especially strong pocket for the curtain support, it is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the application of the present invention to a construction of that nature.

In Figs. 5, 6, '7, and 8, there is shown a curtain l5a of a construction slightly different than the one disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, in that the main body portion 28a of the curtain is somewhat more elaborate and is of same mesh throughout, whereas, as heretofore pointed out, the section intermediate the transverse bars in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, is of a finer mesh than the section therebelow.

As in the case of the curtain first described,

the curtain i511 illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, has formed integral therewith a plurality of transversely extending reinforcing bars Ilia, Ha, [8a, and [9a which are spaced longitudinally of the curtain. Likewise, the transversely extending bars are composed of strands more closely interlaced than the strands in the adjacent portions. The cutting off, folding and stitching operations are exactly the same as in the making of the finished curtain shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and except for the difference in the construction of the main body portion, the finished curtains differ in no way.

The dot-dash lines 29 in Figs. 6 and 7 show the condition of the curtain before it is folded to assume the position shown in the full lines. In the folded position, as in the case of the curtain shown in Figs. 2 and 3, corresponding transversely extending bars in the superposed portions Zia and 22a are secured together with lines of stitching 25a to define a pocket 23a for a curtain support 24a and to set off the heading 21a which extends upwardly from the pocket to dress the curtain.

If preferred the heading 2'! may be eliminated inwhich event the curtain material is preferably provided with only three transverse bars lla, Mia, and |9a grouped at wide spaced points in its length, whereupon the intermediate bar [Ba would represent the point of fold and bars Na and lBa only would be superposed and sewed to form a pocket. Also, with this non-heading type of structure the intermediate bar 18a might be eliminated during manufacture of the material, whereupon the two bars l'la. and Ma would be superposed and sewed to form the pocket.

The close woven bars at the end of the curtain serve as a selvage to prevent loose threads and a frayed appearance; and also eliminate the need of hemming or folding back a small sectionof the end of the curtain at the time it is sewed.

Fig. 9 shows a further modified form of the present invention, wherein two sets of bars 30, 3!, and 32, 33 are provided at opposite sides of a line of severance 34; the bars 32 and 33 being later superposed and sewed in the manner hereinbefore described with several forms of the invention to form a rod pocket, and the bars 30 and 3| being superposed and sewed to form a hem for the last preceding curtain.

It will be understood that important functions of the transverse reinforcing bars include pro- Viding stitching support as well as guide for measuring. In view thereof, it will be observed that the reinforcing bars may be considerably less extensive than the areas of non-reinforcing material, and economy and efficiency permit their manufacture in a width which is at most .one-half that of the non-reinforcing areas.

in width at least twice that characterizing the transverse bars of reinforcing material.

Variations .and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described theinvention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A curtain comprising a main body of loosely interlaced strands and a plurality of transversely extending bars of integrally woven reinforcing material spaced from each other and longitudinally of the main body by areas of non-reinforcing material, said areas of non-reinforcing material being at least double in width as said bars of reinforcing material, and longitudinally of the main body for superposition one upon the other and adapted to support stitching therein to define a pocket for a substantially horizontal curtain support spaced from the upper end of the curtain and provide an upper heading for the curtain.

2. A curtain of interlaced strands including portions superposed by folding over a section transverse of the curtain at the upper end thereof; a plurality of transversely extending bars of reinforcing material in each of said superposed portions, spaced longitudinally of the curtain and formed integral therewith, composed of strands more closely interlaced than the adjacent strands, each of said transverse bars in one of said superposed portions overlying a corresponding transverse bar in the other said portions; lines of stitching securing together said corresponding bars in said superposed portions; and a section intermediate the plurality of bars in the superposed portions forming a heading.

3. A curtain of interlaced strands including portions superposed by folding over a section transverse of the curtain at the upper end thereof; a plurality of transversely extending bars of reinforcing material spaced from each other by areas of non-reinforcing material in each of said superposed portions, spaced longitudinally of the curtain and formed integrally therewith, said reinforcing bars being of lesser width than the nonreinfcrcing areas to provide guiding for handling thereof, each of said transverse bars in one of said superposed portions overlying a corresponding transverse bar in the other said portion; lines of stitching securing together said correspending bars in said superposed portions; and a section intermediate the plurality of bars in the superposed portions forming a heading.

4. A curtain of interlaced strands. including portions superposed by folding over a section transverse of the curtain at the upper end therer of; a pair of transversely extending bars of reinforcing material in each of said superposed portions, spaced longitudinally of the curtain and formed integral therewith, composed of strands more closely interlaced than the adjacent strands, each of said transverse bars in one of said superposed portions overlying a corresponding transverse bar in the other of said portions; lines of stitching securing together said corresponding bars in said superposed portions to define a pocket transverse of the curtain for the positioning therein of a curtain support; and a section intermediate the pairs of bars in the superposed portions forming a heading. 7

ELLIOTT C. CARTER. 

